Former Dem Rep. won't run for Montana Senate seat

Williams, who served nine terms in Congress but left office in 1997, hasn't been on most Democrats' radar for the seat. But he says he gave a bid serious consideration before ultimately deciding against it.

"After I thought about it awhile, I actually felt an obligation to give it some genuine thought," he told the Missoulian on Monday. "I had an obligation to progressive policy, to Montana and to the institution of Congress, which I still respect, even though the Congress has fallen on hard times."